The spotlight is once again on Native culture and communities this November, recognized as National Native American Heritage Month, more commonly known as Native American Heritage Month.

In Oregon, the 2024 celebration includes several local events that highlight tribal history, food, indigenous artists and traditional crafts, most of which are free and open to the public.

An event, the NAYA Gala and Auctionwhich is billed as the largest celebration of Native American Heritage Month in the Pacific Northwest, has long sold out.

Oregon tribes will celebrate Native American Heritage Day on Friday, November 29, when most tribal offices will be closed.

Here are some of the best local ways to celebrate Native American Heritage Month this year:

UNTIL NOV. 23

“Citizen Fellow: Art as archive and memory”

The latest exhibition at the Center for Native Arts and Cultures will feature a cross-section of the last 15 years of Native Arts and Culture Foundation fellows, working with painting, sculpture, printmaking, video and site-specific installations. The exhibition “takes Indigenous creative thought and practice as its starting point and considers art and leadership as a catalyst for community engagement,” according to the foundation.

5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and by appointment; 800 SE 10th Ave., Portland; free.

NOV. 9

Fry Bread Party

Downtown Portland Fry Bread Party is billed as “a day dedicated to education, healing and celebration for all,” featuring stories from the famous Ed Edmoset of Turquoise Pride and free frybread from a Native cuisine pop-up Javeline PDX (while stocks last). The event will also feature vendors from the Portland Native Market.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. November 9; 900 SW Taylor St., Portland; free.

NOV. 9

“Tribal Stories of the Willamette Valley”

Get an education on local tribal history at this author speaks featuring Dr. David G. Lewis, anthropologist and member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, who will discuss topics from his book “Tribal Histories of the Willamette Valley.” The discussion will focus on the colonization of the area and the losses felt by local tribal members as they transitioned to life on reservations.

1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. November 9; 2850 NE Brookwood Parkway, Hillsboro; free.

NOV. 14

“THIS IS the land of Kalapuyan”

As part of the Grand Ronde cultural series, this conversation with a visual artist Cedar Mill Library’s Steph Littlebird delves into Kalapuyan’s history from a contemporary Indigenous perspective, showcasing artwork by Indigenous creators. In 2019, Littlebird opened an exhibition of the same name at the Five Oaks Museum in Washington County. Prior registration is required.

6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. November 14; 1080 Saltzman Road, Cedar Mill; free, register online at cedarmillbethany.libcal.com.

NOV. 14 and 21

DIY workshops

The Hillsboro Public Library will host two Native craft workshops in November. The first, Duck Tule Family Weaving on Nov. 14, will be led by Stephanie Craig, owner of Kalapuya Weaving and Consulting, who will give a presentation on Kalapuyan lifestyles before teaching attendees how to make a woven tule duck. On November 21, Beads and embroidery with Mixteca and Yakama artists will teach this craft to participants of all ages. Advance registration is required for both events, which will take place at the Hillsboro Brookwood Library.

5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. on November 14 and 6-7:30 p.m. on November 21; 2850 NE Brookwood Parkway, Hillsboro; free, register online at wccls.org.

NOV. 15-DEC 31

Winter Indigenous Pop-Up Shop

Hosted by the Portland Native Marketan organization that supports Indigenous artists and promotes public education through cultural arts, the Winter Indigenous Pop-Up Shop will be open Wednesday through Sunday throughout the holiday season. Vendors will sell handcrafted products and original creations.

10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday from November 15 to December 31; 720 SW Washington St., Suite 720, Portland.

NOV. 16

Siletz Restoration Powwow

The Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians will host their 47th Restoration Pow Wow this month at Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City. The event marks the anniversary of the Siletz Restoration Act, which in 1977 restored federal recognition to the tribe. The grand entrance will take place at 6 p.m. at the powwow.

6 p.m. on November 16; 1777 NW 44th Street, Lincoln City; free.

November 16-17

Crow’s Shadow Bead Workshop

The Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts in Pendleton will host a two-day bead workshop with artist Aubry Booth-Spencer Rodrigez, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, who will teach participants how to make beaded ornaments. Prior registration is required.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., November 16 and 17; 48004 St. Andrews Road, Pendleton; $30, register online at crowdshadow.org.

NOV. 16 AND 23

Pearl earrings workshop

The Hillsdale Library in southwest Portland will host a two-part pearl earrings workshop taught by artist Natalie Mitchell, a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and of Mexican descent who makes jewelry inspired by indigenous art and culture. Registration begins November 10 at multcolib.org.

November 16 and 23; 1525 SW Sunset Boulevard, Portland; free.

NOV. 23

La Grande Ronde Restoration Powwow

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde will celebrate the 41st anniversary of the Grand Ronde Restoration Act, which in 1983 restored federal recognition to the tribe, with a public powwow on November 23. The grand entrance will be at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. for the powwow. which will take place at Spirit Mountain Casino.

1 p.m. on November 23; 27100 SW Salmon River Road, Grand Ronde; free.

NOV. 23-24

Oregon City Native Market

In addition to its downtown Portland pop-up, the Portland Indigenous Marketplace will host the two-day event Oregon City Native Marketfeaturing many of its same vendors and artists. The event will take place at Redland Grange, just outside of town.

10 a.m.-3 p.m. November 23 and 24; 18131 S. Fischers Mill Road, Oregon City.

NOV. 27

Indigenous Storytime

Storyteller Karen Kitchen (Osage Nation) will lead the Indigenous Storytime event held at the Capitol Hill Library in Southwest Portland. The event will feature songs and books from indigenous cultures and is open to people of all ages. The event is supported by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.

11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. November 27; 10723 SW Capitol Highway, Portland; free.

—Jamie Hale covers travel and the outdoors and co-organizes the Podcast Peak Northwest. Contact him at 503-294-4077, [email protected] or @HaleJamesB.

Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com.